TASTE. 



10 



them, — none of those fine arts which give as much happi- 

 ness as embellishment to life. Reason and good sense have 

 so extensive an influence on all the operations and decisions 

 of taste, that a thorough good taste may well be considered 

 as a power, compounded of natural sensibility to beauty, 

 and of improved understanding. Frequent exercise and 

 curious attention to its proper objects must greatly heighten 

 its power. Nothing is more improveable than that part of 

 taste, which is called an ear for music. At first, the sim- 

 plest and plainest compositions only are relished. Our plea- 

 sure is extended by use and practice, which teach us to re- 

 lish finer melody, and by degrees enable us to enter into the 

 intricate and compound pleasures of harmony. An eye for 

 the beauties of painting is never acquired all at once. It is 

 gradually formed by being conversant among pictures, and 

 studying the works of the best masters. It is the same with 

 respect to the beauty of composition or discourse : attention 

 to the most approved models, study of the best authors, com- 

 parisons of lower and higher degrees of the same beauties, 

 operate towards the refinement of taste. 



In no part of nature is the pure benevolence of ^Jeaven 

 more strikingly conspicuous than in our susceptibility of the 

 emotions of this class. In consequence of these emotions, 

 it is scarcely possible for us to look around, without feeling 

 either some happiness or some consolation. Sensual plea- 

 sures soon pall, even upon the profligate, who seeks them in 

 vain in the means which were accustomed to produce them ; 

 weary, almost to disgust, of the very pleasures which he 

 seeks, and yet astonished that he does not find them. The 

 labours of severer intellect, if long continued, exhaust the 

 energy which they employ ; and we cease, for a time, to be 

 capable of thinking accurately, from the very intentness and 

 accuracy of our thought. The pleasures of taste, however, 

 by their variety of easy delight, are safe from the languor 

 which attends any monotonous or severe occupation, and, 

 instead of palling on the mind, they produce in .it, with the 

 very delight which is present, a quicker sensibility to future 

 pleasure. Enjoyment springs from enjoyment ; and if we 

 have not some deep wretchedness within, it is scarcely pos- 

 sible for us, with the delightful resources which nature and 

 art present to us, not to be happy, as often as we will to be 

 happy. 



